Proud parents do everything to optimally support their children’s development – and that includes a high-quality pair of first walking shoes. Admittedly, the demands on children’s shoes are quite high. But after all, it’s about your own child, and quality must be right. To truly be healthy, the first shoes must meet several requirements, because they should…
…provide secure support and protection …be made from gentle natural materials …have a flexible yet non-slip sole …be breathable …be produced in an environmentally friendly and toxin-free way …feature a cute design
First Walking Shoes: When and How Long Should They Be Used?
Many parents wonder when girls should actually start wearing first walking shoes – as soon as the child stands up for the first time or rather later? And how long should the shoes be worn at all? Here we provide answers to the most important questions!
When Are First Walking Shoes Useful?
Ideally, babies learn to walk when they are barefoot, because this way their feet get used to walking best. This optimally strengthens the foot muscles and the child already gets to know different surfaces. If possible, you should let your little ones try walking without shoes for as long as possible to avoid negatively affecting later foot posture and movement sequence.
After a while, the home environment no longer offers enough challenge, and the little ones venture outside. At the latest, when children want to explore the world outdoors, it’s time for first walking shoes. For the first little outdoor explorations, the feet need good support and protection, especially in cooler temperatures. On the terrace or in the garden, however, they can romp around without first walkers in summer!
How Long Should First Walking Shoes Be Worn?
Unfortunately, children can’t yet tell when their shoes are too small. The key with children’s shoes is therefore to regularly check if the shoes still fit properly. If little ones wear shoes that are too tight for a longer time, the foot can adapt to the shoe and become deformed. As a rule of thumb, the first walking shoes are worn for about three months. But remember, every child’s foot grows at a different pace. That means: always measure!
Finding the Right Size: A Guide
Young feet grow very quickly, so little girls regularly need new shoes. Since baby feet are still very soft and flexible, children often don’t even notice when the shoe is too small. Always check which shoe size is needed. Children’s shoes fit well when the toes can still move slightly inside and there is about 1.5 cm of space at the front. However, the shoes shouldn’t be too loose either, as that also prevents good support.
You can easily calculate the required shoe size with a simple formula. Measure your baby’s feet, add 1.5 cm, and multiply the result by 1.5.
Example: (Foot length 10.5 cm + 1.5) x 1.5 = first walking shoe size 18
Alternatively, you can simply check oursize chart to find the right shoe size. Haflinger offers first walking shoes for girls in sizes 17-23.
Best Materials for Healthy Shoes
Quality is a matter of honor for us at Haflinger – especially when it comes to the first shoes for children. That’s why we ensure that our first walking shoes for girls are made from pure natural materials. They are also designed to offer enough flexibility for the child’s foot to develop well. The perfect mix for completely healthy footwear!
✓ Cozy Wool Felt: Breathable and Temperature-Regulating
We’re sure your girl will be happy to slip into cozy shoes. Wool felt made from pure new wool is perfect for baby shoes because the fabric is breathable and naturally regulates temperature. So it doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter – the shoes can be worn all year round without your girl sweating or feeling cold. As a bonus, the material is also dirt-repellent and thus very hygienic for little outdoor adventures.
✓ Soft Leather: Lined First Walking Shoes
Leather first walking shoes have the advantage of being soft and comfortably fitting the foot. That’s why all our first walking shoes for girls are lined with gentle genuine leather and promise very high wearing comfort. To produce the shoes as environmentally friendly and toxin-free as possible, we use a vegetable tanning method for our leather production. This results in fewer environmental toxins and baby feet are surrounded only by natural materials!
✓ Thermoplastic Rubber: First Walking Shoes with Soft Sole
Little feet need shoes with a flexible sole so children can practice proper rolling of the foot. At the same time, the sole must provide good grip so the child doesn’t slip during their still wobbly first steps. Haflinger baby shoes combine these two qualities in one sole. The thermoplastic rubber part ensures a secure stand, while the leather part allows for a soft step.
Different Models for Different Girls
The motto for Haflinger shoes is variety, as we have many different first walking shoes in our range – as diverse as girls themselves. Adorable animal or flower appliqués mixed with bright colors create cheerful shoes that are fun to wear. For little explorers, we offer models like Ahoi and Leinen Los, while little princesses will be delighted by our baby shoe Dornröschen with its romantic floral pattern.
Of course, we also carry models where the upper material is pure leather, such as our classics Hafli Leder or the Champion version, our first walking shoe with Velcro fastener. These versions are especially good for outdoors and come in several colors. We’re sure you’ll find the perfect first walking shoe for every girl here!
Proper Care for First Walking Shoes
Hygiene is an important factor when dealing with baby shoes. Not least for this reason, wool felt is an ideal material for children’s shoes because its special structure practically cleans itself. Moisture and odors are simply released into the air, so usually it’s enough to air out the shoes for a while to make them fresh again.
Of course, sometimes little and bigger stains from exciting adventures can occur. In that case, the shoes can be gently cleaned with a cloth or soft brush to remove dirt. Then just let them air dry, and they’re ready for the next adventure!
Important: To keep the shoes’ good properties and shape, it’s advisable not to put them in the washing machine or dryer.
Buy Affordable First Walking Shoes for Girls at Haflinger
The process of learning to walk is an important step in a child’s development and should be supported as best as possible! Haflinger first walking shoes for girls impress with their cute design and provide healthy conditions for the growing child’s foot. This is ensured not only by the flexible anti-slip sole but also by the soft, natural materials that are especially gentle on the skin. With these shoes, the world can be wonderfully explored!